Bill H.44 proposes significant amendments to Vermont's impaired driving laws, particularly expanding the Family Division's jurisdiction to include youthful offenders while excluding certain commercial driver offenses. The bill mandates that any motor vehicle traffic control conviction be reported to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and aligns the definition of "serious bodily injury" with existing law. It introduces new provisions regarding evidentiary blood samples when a warrant is issued and establishes stricter penalties for individuals with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.16 or more, including a three-year prohibition on operating a vehicle with a BAC of 0.02 or more following such a conviction. Additionally, it emphasizes the requirement for blood or saliva tests when impaired driving is suspected, particularly in cases involving serious bodily injury or death, and allows refusal to submit to these tests to be used as evidence in court.

The bill also creates the Impaired Driving Processing Task Force to study implied consent during impaired driving investigations, aiming to recommend methods to reduce the duration of detention for suspects and streamline processing. It outlines the Task Force's membership, powers, and duties, along with a timeline for reporting its findings. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes provisions for modifying penalties for violations resulting in death or serious bodily injury, such as increased fines and mandatory minimum prison sentences for repeat offenders.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 4-33, 23-13, 33-5202, 33-5229
As Passed By the House -- Official: 4-33, 23-13, 33-5202, 33-5229
As Passed By the House -- Unofficial: 4-33, 23-13, 33-5202, 33-5229
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 4-33, 23-13, 33-5202, 33-5229
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 4-33, 23-13, 33-5202, 33-5229